Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
2523. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons who have been disqualified from owning a horse in 2018, 2019 and 2020 under section 58 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19729/21]
View answerThe Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 provides a modern framework for applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare and replaced a number of enactments dating back over a century.
Prosecutions under the Act have been pursued following investigations by authorised officers of the Department, An Garda Síochána and authorised officers of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. These officers investigate matters relating to animal cruelty and neglect and, where the evidence supports such action, a file prepared and the matter pursued through the Courts. Matters tried on indictment are the remit of the Director of Public Prosecutions in the normal manner.
In relation to cases prosecuted at the suit of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine there were six cases involving equines finalised in the years 2018 to 2020. Of these cases, one involved disqualification from owning a horse.
